China-made dog and cat treats recalled over antibiotic use

Dogswell and Catswell chicken and duck jerky treats bearing a “Best Before” date of Jan. 28, 2015, or earlier are being pulled from the market because they may contain trace amounts of an antibiotic residue not approved for use in the United States.

Most of these recalled products were distributed through retail stores and mail-order companies before March 1.

According to Los Angeles-based Dogswell, the treats were made in China.

The products, which are being voluntarily recalled, include chicken-breast and duck-breast jerky under the Breathies, Happy Heart, Happy Hips, Mellow Mut, Shape Up, Veggie Life, Vitality and Vitakitty brands.

Chicken-breast and duck-breast jerky with a “Best Before” date of Jan. 29, 2015, and later are not affected, according to the company.

The date is stamped in black ink on the back of the package on the bottom right-hand side.

The company reported Friday that the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets discovered the antibiotic during routine product sampling. The antibiotic is accepted for use in poultry in other parts of the world, the company said.

If you purchased the products, Dogswell recommends you contact the company at 1-888-559-8833.